Washing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates a washing machine having two laundry holding spaces within one cabinet. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a main drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry, and a supplementary drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry.

This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean Application No. 10-2007-0118963, filed on Nov. 21, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having two laundry holding spaces within one cabinet.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, the washing machine is a device for washing or drying laundry or washing and drying the laundry. Recently, the washing machines are provided with steam supply units additionally for performing a refresh function for removing wrinkles or smell from the laundry.

In the meantime, in related art washing machines, there are front loading type washing machines and top loading type washing machines depending on a direction of laundry introduction, and vertical shaft type washing machines in which pulsators or washing tubs rotate and horizontal type washing machines in which horizontally laid drums rotate depending on a washing type.

In general, each home has one large sized washing machine. Therefore, if it is intended to wash the laundry sorted by kinds, it is required to operate the washing machine many times.

For an example, if it is intended to wash the laundry, sorting the laundry into large volume laundry, such as laundry from grown-up persons and blankets, and small volume laundry, such as baby clothes and undergarments, it is required to operate the washing machine once more for washing the small sized laundry after finishing washing of the large sized laundry.

Accordingly, the washing and drying by using only one washing machine causes the following problems.

First, the many times of operation of the washing machine for washing the small volume laundry increases power consumption and a washing time period.

Second, since a general washing machine has no washing course for fine laundry, washing fine laundry, such as undergarment which is susceptible to damage, with the general washing machine is not suitable.

Third, if a user purchase a small sized washing machine for washing the small volume laundry additionally, an additional space for installation of the small sized washing machine and an expense therefor is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can wash laundry, sorting the laundry into large volume laundry and small volume laundry for saving a washing time period and an energy required for washing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which has a simple structure and can reduce a production cost by forming two laundry holding spaces within one washing machine body.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a main drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry, and a supplementary drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry.

The cabinet may include a partition for dividing an inside space of the cabinet to enable mounting of the main drum and the supplementary drum.

The supplementary drum may be positioned under the main drum.

The washing machine may further include a first water supply unit for supplying washing water to the main drum and a second water supply unit for supplying the washing water to the supplementary drum.

The washing machine may further include a first drain unit for draining the washing water from the main drum and a second drain unit for draining the washing water from the supplementary drum.

The washing machine may further include a door mounted to the supplementary drum for introducing laundry to the supplementary drum.

The supplementary drum may include a rotation shaft mounted in a direction vertical to a bottom surface of the cabinet.

The washing machine may further include a first driving unit for transmitting power to the main drum and a second driving unit for transmitting power to the supplementary drum.

The washing machine may further include a water holding tub for holding the washing water, the water holding tub having the supplementary drum housed therein and a rotation shaft passed therethrough and the second driving unit is mounted on one side of the water holding tub.

In another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a main drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry, a supplementary drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry, and a drawer for housing the supplementary drum, the drawer being drawable in a front direction of the cabinet.

The cabinet includes a partition for dividing an inside space of the cabinet to enable mounting of the main drum and the supplementary drum.

The washing machine may further include a first water supply unit for supplying washing water to the main drum and a second water supply unit for supplying the washing water to the supplementary drum.

The second water supply unit may include a water holding tub in the drawer for holding the washing water supplied to the supplementary drum, the water holding tub housing the supplementary drum, and a water supply pipe connected to the water holding tub for flowing of the washing water.

The water supply pipe may be constructed of a material which is extendable in a drawing direction of the drawer with respect to the cabinet.

The supplementary drum may include a rotation shaft mounted in a direction vertical to a bottom surface of the cabinet.

The washing machine may further include a first driving unit for transmitting power to the main drum and a second driving unit for transmitting power to the supplementary drum.

The washing machine may further include a water holding tub in the drawer for holding the washing water supplied to the supplementary drum, the water holding tub having the supplementary drum housed therein, and the second driving unit is mounted on one side of the water holding tub.

The washing machine may further include a door on a top of the supplementary drum, the door can be opened/closed for introduction of the laundry into the supplementary drum when the drawer is drawn out of the cabinet.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a drawer in a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine 10 includes a cabinet 20 which forms an exterior of the washing machine 10, and a control panel 15 on a top surface of the cabinet 20.

The control panel 15 includes a control unit for controlling operation of the washing machine, and a display unit for displaying an operation state. According to this, by handling the control panel 15, the user can treat the laundry.

In the meantime, the washing machine 10 may include a support 30 for supporting the cabinet 20. The cabinet 20 is placed on a top of the support 30.

The support 30 serves to support the washing machine. However, since the support 30 is separate from the cabinet 20, to require fastening the cabinet 20 to the support 30 with fastening means, such as bolts, and so on, to require components additionally, fabrication of the washing machine becomes complicate.

Therefore, it is preferable that the support 30 is fabricated as one unit with the cabinet 20. Accordingly, a washing machine will be described, which has the support 30 fabricated as one unit with the cabinet 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing machine 100 includes a cabinet 200 which forms an exterior of the washing machine 100, a main drum 300 rotatably mounted in the cabinet 200 for forming a space for holding large volume laundry, and a supplementary drum 500 rotatably mounted to the cabinet 200 for forming a space for holding small volume laundry.

Accordingly, since both the large volume laundry and the small volume laundry can be treated with one washing machine without requiring a washing machine for treating the small volume laundry additionally, user's convenience can be improved. Moreover, in comparison to a case when both the large volume laundry and the small volume laundry are washed with separate washing machines respectively, the washing time period and the power consumption can be reduced.

Both the main drum 300 and the supplementary drum 500 are mounted to one cabinet 200 which forms an exterior of the laundry washing machine 100, wherein a partition 210 (See FIG. 3) separates mounting positions of the main drum 300 and the supplementary drum 500.

According to this, since the main drum 300 and the supplementary drum 500 can be mounted to one cabinet 200 together, the cabinet 200 can have a simple structure, and cost and time required for fabrication of an additional cabinet can be saved.

The washing machine of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. The main drum 300, positioned over the supplementary drum 500, washes or dries the large volume laundry. The main drum 300 has a rotation shaft at one side for rotating the main drum 300. The rotation shaft is mounted in the cabinet 200 parallel to the partition 210.

An outer tub 360 is mounted to an outside of the main drum 300 additionally for holding washing water, and a main drum door 310 may be mounted to a front of the cabinet 200 for the main drum 300 for introduction of the laundry to the main drum 300.

The main drum door 310 can be opened/closed for enabling introduction of the laundry to the main drum 300. Doors of types other than shown in the drawing may be employed as far as above function can be made.

In the meantime, though not shown, a vertical shaft type washing machine is also viable, in which the main drum 300 rotates round a vertical shaft which is vertical to the partition 210 for washing or drying the laundry.

The control panel 110 is mounted on a top of the cabinet 200. The control panel 110 controls operation of the main drum 300 and the supplementary drum 500, and displays operation states of the main drum 300 and the supplementary drum 500. Therefore, by handling the control panel 110, the user can wash or dry the laundry.

In the meantime, the supplementary drum 500 has a configuration for washing or drying the small volume laundry. The supplementary drum is rotated by a rotation shaft which is vertical to a bottom surface of the cabinet 200, and has a plurality of pass through holes in a side wall for flow in/out of the washing water.

The supplementary drum 500 has a water holding tub 530 on an outside of the supplementary drum 500 for holding the washing water, additionally.

The supplementary drum 500 may be positioned over or under the main drum 300. However, because frequency of washing the small volume laundry is lower than frequency of washing the large volume laundry, it is preferable that the supplementary drum 500 is positioned under the main drum 300.

In addition to this, the washing machine 100 includes a drawer 400 for housing the supplementary drum 500 and being drawable in a front direction of the cabinet 200. The drawer 400 includes a front panel 410 which forms a front exterior of the drawer, and a drum housing portion 420 which is a space for housing the supplementary drum 500 therein.

The drawer 400 includes a frame 524 for covering the drawer 400, and it is preferable that the frame 524 and the water holding tub 530 are formed as one unit. A supplementary drum door 510 (See FIG. 4) may be mounted to a top of the water holding tub 530 for introduction of the small volume laundry.

Though not shown in the drawing, the supplementary drum door 510 may include a variety of locking device for locking the supplementary drum door 510. The supplementary drum door 510 can prevent the washing water from splashing to an outside of the supplementary drum 500.

In the meantime, referring to FIG. 3, the drawer 400 has a second driving unit mounted therein for transmission of a driving power to the supplementary drum 500. The second driving unit may be provided separate from the first driving unit 350 which transmits a driving power to the main drum 300.

For an example, the second driving unit includes a motor 150 for transmission of rotating force to the supplementary drum 500, together with a driving pulley 152 connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 150, a follower pulley 156 connected to a rotation shaft of the supplementary drum 500, and a belt 154 which connects the driving pulley 152 to the follower pulley 156.

If the motor 150 rotates, the follower pulley 156 rotates through the driving pulley 152 and the belt 154, and if the supplementary drum 500 rotates accordingly, washing functions, such as washing, rinsing and spinning courses, can be performed. In the meantime, it is preferable that the motor 150 is reversible.

In a case only the supplementary drum 500 is put into operation for washing the small volume laundry, the control unit (not shown) drives only the second driving unit which is provided separate from the first driving unit 350. According to this, power consumption required for the washing can be reduced.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a drawer in a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A position of the motor 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. If the supplementary drum 500 is housed in the drawer 400, there can be spaces S formed at corners of the drawer 400. Therefore, the motor 150 can be mounted on a side of the supplementary drum 500.

In other words, the motor 150 can be mounted in the space S formed between the water holding tub 530 and the drawer 400.

Though not shown, the motor 150 may be mounted to an outside surface of the water holding tub 530.

In this case, the washing machine of the present invention can reduce a size of the drawer 400 in comparison to a case when the motor 150 is mounted under the supplementary drum 500.

Another configuration of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, wherein the first driving unit 350 is mounted in rear of the main drum 300, and only the main drum 300 is driven when the large volume laundry is washed.

In the meantime, referring to FIG. 3, a second water supply unit is mounted in the drawer 400 for supplying the washing water to the supplementary drum 500. The second water supply unit may be provided separate from a first water supply unit 330 which supplies the washing water to the main drum 300.

For an example, the second water supply unit includes a water supply pipe 134 and a water supply valve 132 for supplying the washing water to an upper portion of the water holding tub 530. The water supply pipe 134 has one end connected to the upper portion of the water holding tub 530, and the other end fixed to an outside wall of the drawer 400. The water supply valve 132 may be mounted to the water supply pipe 134.

Particularly, it is preferable that the water supply pipe 134 is constructed of a material, or has a structure which is extendable in a drawing direction of the drawer, because it is required that the water supply pipe is extendable when the drawer 400 is drawn in a front direction of the cabinet 200.

The first water supply unit 330 is connected to a top of the main drum 300 for supplying the washing water to the main drum.

In the meantime, referring to FIG. 3, a second drain unit is mounted in the drawer 400 for draining the washing water from the supplementary drum 500 to an outside of the washing machine. The second drain unit may be provided separate from a first drain unit 320 which drains the washing water from the main drum 300 to an outside of the washing machine.

For an example, the second drain unit may include a drain pipe 124 and a drain pump 122 for draining the washing water. The drain pipe 124 has one end connected to an underside of the water holding tub 530, and the other end fixed to an outside wall of the drawer 400. The drain pipe 124 has a drain pump 122 mounted thereto, and alike to the water supply pipe 134, it is preferable that the drain pipe 124 is constructed of a material, or has a structure which is extendable in a drawing direction of the drawer.

The first drain unit is connected to an underside of the main drum 300 for draining the washing water having finished the washing to an outside of the washing machine.

The operation of the washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

If the user intends to wash the large volume laundry, the main drum door 310 is opened, the laundry is introduced through the main drum door 310, and the main drum door 310 is closed.

Then, upon applying an operation order for operating the main drum to the control panel 110, the control unit (not shown) controls to supply the washing water from the first water supply unit 330 to the outer tub 360.

Then, after washing the laundry by rotating the main drum 300 with the first driving unit 350, the washing water is drained to an outside of the washing machine through the first drain unit 320.

On the other hand, if the user intends to wash the small volume laundry, after the user draws the drawer in the cabinet 100 in a front direction of the cabinet 100, the user opens the supplementary drum door 510. Then, the user closes the supplementary drum door 510 after introducing the small volume laundry, and pushes the drawer 400 into the cabinet 100.

Thereafter, the user applies an operation order for the supplementary drum 500 to the control panel 110, and supplies the washing water from the second water supply unit to the water holding tub 530 under the control of the control unit. Once the supply of the washing water is finished, the motor 150 rotates the supplementary drum 500 to wash the laundry in the supplementary drum 500, and the washing water used in the washing is drained to an outside of the washing machine through the drain pipe 124.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As has been described, the washing machine of the present invention has the following advantages.

First, the provision of single washing machine which can treat the laundry, sorting the laundry into large volume laundry and small volume laundry, permits to reduce a washing time period and an energy required for the washing.

Second, since no additional space for installation of the small capacity washing machine is required, the washing deice has no limitation on an installation space.

Third, the two spaces for holding laundry within one body permits to provide a washing machine which can reduce a production cost and have a simple structure. 

1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a main drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry; and a supplementary drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry.
 2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes a partition for dividing an inside space of the cabinet to enable mounting of the main drum and the supplementary drum.
 3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supplementary drum is positioned under the main drum.
 4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first water supply unit for supplying washing water to the main drum and a second water supply unit for supplying the washing water to the supplementary drum.
 5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first drain unit for draining the washing water from the main drum and a second drain unit for draining the washing water from the supplementary drum.
 6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a door mounted to the supplementary drum for introducing laundry to the supplementary drum.
 7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supplementary drum includes a rotation shaft mounted in a direction vertical to a bottom surface of the cabinet.
 8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first driving unit for transmitting power to the main drum and a second driving unit for transmitting power to the supplementary drum.
 9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a water holding tub for holding the washing water, the water holding tub having the supplementary drum housed therein and a rotation shaft passed therethrough and the second driving unit is mounted on one side of the water holding tub.
 10. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a main drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry; a supplementary drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet having a space for holding laundry; and a drawer for housing the supplementary drum, the drawer being drawable in a front direction of the cabinet.
 11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cabinet includes a partition for dividing an inside space of the cabinet to enable mounting of the main drum and the supplementary drum.
 12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a first water supply unit for supplying washing water to the main drum and a second water supply unit for supplying the washing water to the supplementary drum.
 13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second water supply unit includes; a water holding tub in the drawer for holding the washing water supplied to the supplementary drum, the water holding tub housing the supplementary drum, and a water supply pipe connected to the water holding tub for flowing of the washing water.
 14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the water supply pipe is constructed of a material which is extendable in a drawing direction of the drawer with respect to the cabinet.
 15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the supplementary drum includes a rotation shaft mounted in a direction vertical to a bottom surface of the cabinet.
 16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a first driving unit for transmitting power to the main drum and a second driving unit for transmitting power to the supplementary drum.
 17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a water holding tub in the drawer for holding the washing water supplied to the supplementary drum, the water holding tub having the supplementary drum housed therein, and the second driving unit is mounted on one side of the water holding tub.
 18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a door on a top of the supplementary drum, the door can be opened/closed for introduction of the laundry into the supplementary drum when the drawer is drawn out of the cabinet. 